Current Activities

 2010 activities include performances and recording with atom3, an electro-acoustic trio featuring
Paul Geluso and Orlando Legname.

Mr. Pignato is currently working on a variety of new compositional projects including a
series of pieces for chamber orchestra, pieces for improvising ensembles, and new electronic music.
To hear samples of recent work click here.

Mr. Pignato is enjoying his sixth year teaching in the music department at
The State University of New York, The College at Oneonta.

Spring 2010

April 27, 2010
The Percussion Ensemble at the State University of New York, The College at Oneonta,
to perform "Briciola di Giustizia" under the direction of Dr. Julie Licata.

April 1, 2010
Student ensembles, "Electric Monster" and "Toast", both under the direction of Joe Pignato,
play at  the General Clinton's Pub in downtown Oneonta.

March 29, 2010
Mark Pawkette performs Mr. Pignato's composition
"Disregarded Beauty" revised for solo guitar and electronics as part of
the Faculty and Student Composers recital on the campus of
the State University of New York, The College at Oneonta.

March 16, 2010
Mr. Pignato presents "Improvisation in School Music Contexts: Cases Studies in New York State Schools"
as part of the symposium, Music as a Live Pricess: Mind, Culture and Esthetic Experience,
presented by the Center for Social Science Research on the campus of
the State University of New York, The College at Oneonta.

Past News

October 21, 2009

atom3 perform with Scott Miller
at the Alumni Hall Little Theater, 7:30 PM
The State University of New York, The College at Oneonta.

November 12, 2009
Student ensembles under the direction of Joe Pignato, to play at
the General Clinton's Pub in downtown Oneonta.

November 30, 2009
Student ensembles under the direction of Joe Pignato, to play at
the Hamblin Arena Theater on the campus of 
the State University of New York, The College at Oneonta.

April 26, 2009

atom3 at the Alumni Hall Theater, 7:00 PM
The State University of New York, The College at Oneonta.

March 26, 2009
Student ensembles, "FDS" and "Pheonix Down", both under the direction of Joe Pignato, play at
the General Clinton's Pub in downtown Oneonta.

March 21, 2009
Mr. Pignato invited to serve as adjudicator, and percussion coordinator for
the Brandon Jazz Festival at Brandon University in Brandon, Manitoba.

January 29, 2009
Student ensembles, "FDS" and "Pheonix Down", both under the direction of Joe Pignato, play at
the General Clinton's Pub in downtown Oneonta.

December 2008

Fall 2008

 Student ensembles, "FDS" and "Phoenix Down", both under the direction of Joe Pignato, play at the Black Oak, and at the Autumn Cafe in downtown Oneonta.

Spring 2008

Student ensembles, "Switch Low" and "House Upon the Hill", both under the direction of Joe Pignato,
play at the Hamblin Arena Theatre on the SUNY Oneonta campus, and at the Autumn Cafe in downtown Oneonta.

February 2008

November 2007

Student ensembles, "Blind Kings" and "House Upon the Hill", both under the direction of Joe Pignato,
play to a packed Waterfront Cafe on the SUNY Oneonta campus.

October 2007

June 2007

May 2007

April 2007

atom3 performs with Dinu Ghezzo and Christine Ghezzo at the Hamblin Arena Theatre on the campus of SUNY Oneonta.

Student ensembles, "Four and More" and "Panda Propaganda", both under the direction of Joe Pignato, play to a packed Waterfront Cafe on the SUNY Oneonta campus.

February 2007

atom3 performs at the Composers Forum at New York University and at the Big-O Poetry Slam on the campus of
the State University of New York, The College at Oneonta.

November 2006

atom3 performs at the Yager Gallery on the Campus of Hartwick College and at the Society of Composers Region II conference on the campus of Hamilton College.

Student ensembles, "Four and More" and "Public heat", both under the direction of Joe Pignato, play to a packed Autumn Cafe in downtown Oneonta on November 16th. Oneonta's State Times newspaper features a front cover story on both bands' standing room only debut at the Waterfront Cafe on the SUNY Oneonta campus.

October 2006

 Had the pleasure of being a guest, via video chat, in Paul Geluso's class at New York University. Discussed art, commerce and consumerism in the music industry. Many thanks to Paul and his students.

Spring 2006

 atom3 (minus one) with Orlando Legname performs for the Hewitt Pantaleoni concert series giving a lecture and demonstration on electronic music.

 Student groups Go Your Own Way and Due Process, both under Joe Pignato's direction, debut at the Autumn Cafe in Oneonta. Boths groups perform April 6th at the Waterfront Cafe in Hunt Union.

Mr. Pignato performs a Valentine's day concert with the faculty jazz ensemble featuring colleagues Rob Roman, piano, Rich Mollin, bass and Mark Pawkett, guitar.

November 2005

 Performance with the Treadwell Trio at The Auk in Hamden, New York.

Student ensembles, "It Could Happen to You" and "Carry No Cash", both under the direction of Joe Pignato, make debut at the Waterfront Cafe on the SUNY Oneonta campus. Standing room only. Look for both bands on November 17th at the Autumn Cafe in downtown Oneonta.

October 2005

 Had the pleasure of being a guest via video chat in Dr. Peter McCoy's graduate course at the Crane School of Music. Discussed improvisation, technology and constructivist techniques for K-12 music classrooms. Many thanks to Peter and his students for making the talk happen.

 Students, Rob Forgetta (guitar), Tony Leombruno (bass), Dan Meltzer (keyboard) and Mike Putz (drums) record Mr. Pignato's "Snooze" in studio A at SUNY Oneonta for up coming Red Dragon Records Release.

July / August 2005

 Worked on building Vega Studios and recording additional tracks for the album Vega. Enjoyed July 4th celebratory jam with The Treadwell Trio.

April 2005

 Mr. Pignato’s newest group atom3, an electro-acoustic trio featuring Paul Geluso and Orlando Legname, made its debut in Hamblin Auditorium at SUNY Oneonta.

 Mr. Pignato, along with colleagues Dr. Janet Nepkie and Professor Charlie Dahan, was quoted in a recent edition of Pollstar.

Mr. Pignato, along with students Mike Kemmlein (gtr), Chris Philip (kbds) and Tony Leombruno (b), premieres “Snooze” from the album Vega.

Student ensembles "The Blend" and "Call Me Cynical", both under the direction of Mr. Pignato, perform at Hamblin Auditorium and at the Autumn Cafe in down-town Oneonta.

February 2005

Played drums on a recording of scenes from Sasha Matson's opera
"Cooperstown", a work in progress.

January 2005

 Performance with The Treadwell Trio
at the Gallery in Stamford, NY for Terry Fox opening.

October 2004

Click here for video of a recent performance with
The Treadwell Trio

September 2004

Mr. Pignato spent his first semester teaching in the music department at The State University of New York, The College at Oneonta. He thoroughly enjoyed working with his student ensembles "Call Me Cynical" (the SUCO Jam Band) and "208 Outta Town" (the SUCO Blues Ensemble). Highlights included performances at the Hamblin Theatre and in downtown Oneonta at the Autumn Cafe.

April 2003

In April, Mr. Pignato visited Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana where the Earlham College Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of  William Mierisch, an Earlham professor and old friend,  offered the world premiere performance of Briciola Di Giustizia - a piece completed in the summer of 2002.

View photo here

The performance was amazing as were the performances by each of Earlham's ensembles.  Mr. Pignato was moved by the warmth and generosity of students, faculty, musicians and members of the Earlham community.

Countless thanks to Bill, Mary Carter, Dublin, Cash, Galileo, Delia and the members of the Earlham College Jazz Ensemble.  Thanks also to Joe Galyon, for his last minute piano brilliance, Marc Benamou, Connie Haselby, James Johnston, Dan Graves, Charles Holmond et al for their help and hospitality, Montese Snyder, Joe, Mae and Tiana for a splendid dinner, and Kim Mondics at Norwich Lodge for accommodations.

November 2002

  Mr. Pignato visited San Antonio, Texas where he was the featured composer at NW Vista College's annual fall new music festival.  His music was performed for faculty and students including the premiere of
Ho Perso, completed in the summer of 2002.

In addition, Mr. Pignato performed with long-time collaborator and NW Vista faculty member Dr. William Colangelo.  He gave talks on composition, improvisation and the music business and enjoyed sitting in with the NW Vista College faculty ensemble "Orquesta Outter Loop". 

View photos here